Well, it’s been about year since Wyoming received its last grade on Tobacco Prevention, and we’ve made some good progress.
In 2021 Wyoming received its grade from the previous year (2020) and the American Lung Association, reported that in all categories we received F’s.
The American Lung Association (ALA) monitors Tobacco prevention efforts and ranks each states capabilities in 5 different categories; “Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding”, “Smoke Free Air”, “Tobacco Taxes”, “Access to Cessation Services”, and “Flavored Tobacco Products”.
Since last year we have raised our grades in two areas. From 2021 to 2022 we were able to increase our grade from an ‘F’ to a ‘D’ in “Access to Cessation Services”, and increase our grade from a ‘F’ to a ‘C’ in the area of “Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding”.
While these strides may not seem monumental, it is a good sign that progress is being made in our state.
These changes are also good indicators that the work that we have been doing is paying off, and people are benefitting from the services that county prevention specialist can provide. Our Community Prevention Specialists (CPS) currently work to promote the Wyoming Tobacco Quit line through media and other events, and offer free community Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for those looking to quit.
In addition to these services our CPS’ have worked with youth to provide group based cessation education. While tobacco and traditional combustible cigarettes are still heavily used in Sweetwater county, we have also been facing a new wave of nicotine addiction and prevention challenges with Vapes and E-cigarettes.
As CPS’ we see this challenge as a better way to incorporate all tobacco and nicotine products in education, outreach, and prevention especially with youth. More than 23.6% of high school students in the U.S. use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, according to the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey (ALA). Our vision is to educate our community members as best as we can to make informed lifestyle choices, to live safe and healthy lives.
Well, it’s been about year since Wyoming received its last grade on Tobacco Prevention, and we’ve made some good progress. In 2021 Wyoming received its grade from the previous year (2020) and the American Lung Association, reported that in all categories we received F’s.
The American Lung Association (ALA) monitors Tobacco prevention efforts and ranks each states capabilities in 5 different categories; “Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding”, “Smoke Free Air”, “Tobacco Taxes”, “Access to Cessation Services”, and “Flavored Tobacco Products”.
Since last year we have raised our grades in two areas. From 2021 to 2022 we were able to increase our grade from an ‘F’ to a ‘D’ in “Access to Cessation Services”, and increase our grade from a ‘F’ to a ‘C’ in the area of “Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Funding”. While these strides may not seem monumental, it is a good sign that progress is being made in our state.
These changes are also good indicators that the work that we have been doing is paying off, and people are benefitting from the services that county prevention specialist can provide. Our Community Prevention Specialists (CPS) currently work to promote the Wyoming Tobacco Quit line through media and other events, and offer free community Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) for those looking to quit. In addition to these services our CPS’ have worked with youth to provide group based cessation education. While tobacco and traditional combustible cigarettes are still heavily used in Sweetwater county, we have also been facing a new wave of nicotine addiction and prevention challenges with Vapes and E-cigarettes.
As CPS’ we see this challenge as a better way to incorporate all tobacco and nicotine products in education, outreach, and prevention especially with youth. More than 23.6% of high school students in the U.S. use at least one tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, according to the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey (ALA). Our vision is to educate our community members as best as we can to make informed lifestyle choices, to live safe and healthy lives.
SOUTHWEST COUNSELING SERVICE
At SCS we can provide free Nicotine Replacement Treatment. This includes Nicotine patches, gum, or
lozenges designed to help curb craving and taper your use. You can also schedule a meeting with our
Prevention team Delaney or Shelby to talk about tips and tricks for breaking bad habits.
(swcounseling.org)
WYOMING TOBACCO QUIT LINE (QUIT NOW)
The Wyoming tobacco Quitline provides a confidential and safe platform to discuss how to pursue
quitting tobacco. Trained coaches are available around the clock to discuss your journey as you begin a
smoke free lifestyle. Start by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (quitwyo.org)
MY LIFE MY QUIT
My life my quit is catered towards youth. MLMQ provides a confidential way to quit vaping or smoking.
Sign up by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072, a trained coach will help provide you with information and
resources to help your quit process. (mylifemyquit.org)
DITCH JUUL
“Ditch Juul” is designed specifically to help those who vape quit. The Truth Initiative, which is the project
site for Ditch Juul offers education on the chemicals and harsh materials in Electronic Cigarettes.
Text line and quit assistance is available at 88709 just text “DITCHJUUL” (thetruthinitiative.org)
Other Webpages to visit: Smokefree.gov, American Lung Association (ALA) lung.org, and the CDC (on
tobacco, vape, or nicotine).
For more information on Quitting Tobacco and Nicotine use contact the Wyoming Quit Tobacco Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or to learn more about Tobacco and Nicotine products visit: www.lung.org
If you have questions or would like to request additional information on prevention resources in Sweetwater County contact Shelby Gordon or Shae Bell at (307) 352-6677 or email sweetwatercoprevention@gmail.com.
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